Here are some of my favourite restaurants from around the world.

Fratelli Paradiso (Sydney, Australia)

• Consistently has high quality, fresh produce, described via a rapidly changing menu scrawled on a chalkboard

• A bustling atmosphere

• Salads are always a standout

• Rating: 10/10

Beppi's (Sydney, Australia)

• Sydney's oldest Italian restaurant, open since 1956

• Favourites: seafood pastas

• Rating: 10/10

Bocca di Lupo (London, UK)

• Authentic Italian restaurant focusing on small plates, with a menu that changes twice daily

• Location: Soho, London

• Favourite dishes: spaghetti con le sarde, trippe alla romana  (keep in mind that items come and go from the menu very quickly!) 

• They provide foccaccia, olive oil, and olives to start. They do a really good negroni.

• Food is consistently very good, if a little bit salty on occasion. 

• I recommend sitting at the counter so you can see the chefs do their thing. Can be hard to book.

• Service is great.

• Rating: 10/10

Tiella (London, UK)

• Italian restaurant in an old pub, focusing on home-style cooking

• Location: Shoreditch, London

• Favourite dishes: giardiniera pickles, cavatelli with borlotti

• The food is hearty, very authentic, the kind my Nonna would make.

• Their desserts are particularly amazing (try their panna cotta)

• Very hard to book, but walk-ins are easy at the bar (if you arrive at 6 PM)

• Rating: 10/10

Toklas (London, UK)

• Modern Mediterranean restaurant, with very fresh ingredients

• Location: Temple, London

• I've never had a bad meal here.

• Favourite dishes: olives (some of the best I've ever had, marinated in orange zest, rosemary, garlic, chilli), and anything with artichokes

• The menu leans Italian (not complaining) but you'll see a lot of Greek influence

• I love their olive oil cake

• Service varies, but is usually good

• I also just love the wooden decor of this place

• Rating: 9/10

Georges on Waymouth (Adelaide, Australia)

• Mediterranean restaurant with a slight Greek focus

• I particularly love their seafood and vegetable dishes, and their use of tahini

• I also love their dedication to using local produce

• The portokalopita with mascaporne ice cream and rosemary crumble is a perfect dessert

• Beautiful decor, very attentive staff

• Rating: 10/10

Rasa N16 (London, UK)

• Vegetarian restaurant specialising in South Indian (Keralan, specifically) cuisine

• I love the beetroot curry

• Funky, pink decor

• Best Indian food I have ever had 

• Rating: 10/10
  
  

Here are some of my favourite coffee shops around the world.

Bould Brothers (Cambridge, UK)

• Fantastic coffee, friendly staff, and a lush atmosphere with granite bars

• Only downsides: no wi-fi and no sockets for charging devices

• Major plus: they have Bonsoy (oh, how I miss this from Australia)

• Overall rating: 10/10

Ember Specialty Coffee Lab (Adelaide, Australia)

• Some of the best coffee I have ever had

• Extremely passionate staff who are also very friendly

• Very soothing atmosphere, an ideal place to work/read

• Overall rating: 10/10

Glitch Coffee and Roasters GINZA (Tokyo, Japan)